Get These Apps on Your Phone Before You Land in China
China runs on a different digital ecosystem than the rest of the world. Sort your apps before you board, not after.
Traveling to China as a remote worker or digital nomad means dealing with a reality most people underestimate: the apps and services you rely on daily simply won't work there. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western platforms are blocked. If you don't prepare before you leave, you'll be scrambling for connectivity on arrival.
The key move is doing your setup while you're still on home soil. Several essential apps require a foreign phone number or overseas access to download and verify — steps that become frustrating or impossible once you're inside the country. Think of it like packing your power adapter before you go, not hunting for one at the airport.
The short list of must-haves covers communication, maps, payments, and getting around. WeChat is non-negotiable — it's how locals communicate, share files, and even pay for things. A working VPN (set up and tested before arrival) keeps you connected to your usual tools. Alipay or WeChat Pay handle most transactions in a cash-light society, though getting these fully functional as a foreigner has gotten easier recently. A solid offline maps option rounds out the essentials.
The broader lesson is that China rewards the prepared traveler. An hour of app setup at home saves you hours of frustration on the ground — and keeps your work life running smoothly while you're there.
Inspired by reporting from Too Many Adapters.